Tamper indicating seals

ABSTRACT

IN THIS INVENTION, THERE IS PROVIDED A TAMPERPROOF SEAL HAVING A COVER AND BODY PORTION IN WHICH THE COVER AND BODY ARE EACH PROVIDED WITH COOPERATING LOCKING MEANS CAMMING AGAINST EACH OTHER WHEN CLOSED SO THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE SEAL INCREASES THE CAMMING ACTION BY THE RESPECTIVE LOCKING MEANS.

United States Patent Inquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,847,552 3/1932 Brooks 1,932,101 10/1933 Dietze 1,945,965 2/1934 Behrman 1,982,438 11/1939 Keidel 2,611,198 9/1952 Ashton....

2,644,711 7/1953 Frankel FOREIGN PATENTS 188,728 4/1964 Sweden Primary Examiner--M Assistant ExaminerE Attorney-Alan Swabe arvin A. Champion dward J. McCarthy ABSTRACT: In this invention, there is provided a tamperproof seal having a cover and body portion in which the cover and body are each provided with cooperating locking means camming against each other when closed so that any attempt to open the seal increases the camming action by the respective locking means.

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1|. Mal-111 Z6 PATENTEUJUN28I9YI I 358815? SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTORS Victor R. TRITTON Jean PAINAUD ATTORNEY TAMPER INDICATING SEALS This invention relates to scaling devices.

More particularly, this invention relates to snap action sealing devices adapted to provide a locking element having an in terior completely inaccessible so as to render the seal tamper proof.

Various types of snap action sealing devices are known in the art. The prior art seals include mating locking means, in which the first locking means is connected to a cover portion and the second cooperating locking means provided in the body portion, the second means extending from the front edge of the body portion inwardly. It has been found that because such locking means extends freely within the body portion, that it is possible for the seal to be opened, without visible damage, and thus defeat its purpose, due to the fact that the second coupling means is movable.

With this invention, applicant has developed a novel type of seal construction, in which it is not possible to move the locking means of the body portion, thereby providing a completely tamperproof seal.

A seal in accordance with this invention includes a cover portion and a body portion integrally connected together by a hinge member, said cover portion comprising a first member having first cooperating locking means, said body portion comprising a second member adapted to receive said cover portion when the body and cover portions are closed together, said body portion having second cooperating locking means, said second locking means extending upwardly from the base of said body portion a height sufficient to engage said first locking means when said body and cover portion are closed together, said second cooperating locking means being adapted to cam against said cover portion when an attempt is made to open said cover portion thereby increasing the locking action between said first and second coupling means.

The seal of the present invention is preferably made of one piece of material, with the cover and body portions integrally connected together along a hinge area, which can be weakened to facilitate folding of the body portions, as will be shown and described hereinafter in greater detail. The seal is preferably made of sheet metal, such as tin plate, cold rolled steel, prepainted material or lithographed or other similar materials, which are known in the art for such manufacture, e.g., as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,701 (plastic material).

The cover portion preferably comprises a top substantially flat panel, having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an end wall, the end wall preferably being integral with the sidewalls thereby forming a unitary wall about three sides of the top panel, and which will prevent entry or tampering with the locking mechanism, without visible damage to the seal. The fourth side, that connected to the body portion through the hinge area, is free from a wall. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls of a cover portion preferably taper inwardly toward the rear of the cover portion in the hinge area.

The side and end walls are most desirably of a uniform height, extending in a vertical plane from the top panel of the cover.

The cover portion is provided with first coupling means adapted to cooperatively engage with coupling means of the body portion. A preferred form of the coupling means of the cover portion comprises a pair of inwardly and upwardly extending lugs connected to each sidewall near the front portion I thereof. These lugs, or flanges, preferably between one-fourth and one-half the length of the sidewalls, and most desirably, approximately one-third the length of each sidewall. The amount the lugs extend upwardly from the sidewall may vary but, it has been found that a minor distance, e.g., in the order of approximately one-fifth of the height of the sidewall is sufficient for most purposes.

The cover portion is adapted to fit into the body portion to provide a unitary closed housing when the seal is snapped shut. To this end, the sidewalls of the cover portion are spaced apart a distance less than the distance of the walls from the body portion so as to enable the sidewalls of the cover to fit within the body portion. If the sidewalls and the end wall of the cover portion are made integral, then the length of the sidewalls and the width of the end wall are formed in such a manner that the end wall will also be enclosed within the body portion. As, however, it is desired that the end wall of the cover portion fit on the outside of the body portion, then the end wall of the cover portion will not be integral with the sidewalls but will be free to fold over the body portion.

The body portion of the seal of this invention, according to a preferred embodiment, includes a substantially flat base portion, a pair of sidewalls, and an end wall, with the side and end walls preferably being of an integral construction thereby forming a completely enclosed tray-shaped body. Again, if desired, the end wall of the body portion need not be integral and could be separate from the sidewalls.

The side and end walls of the body portion preferably have the characteristics outlined above with respect to the side and end walls of the cover portion; and in addition, are preferably of approximately the same height as the walls of the cover portion. However, the sidewalls of the body portion are spaced apart a width greater than the sidewalls of the cover portion, to permit folding of the cover portion into the body portion.

The body portion includes second coupling means adapted to cooperate with the coupling means of the cover portion whereby the second coupling means, when the seal is snapped shut, are adapted to cam against the cover portion if an attempt is made to force open the seal. To this end, the second coupling means preferably comprises a pair of mating locks mounted in the body portion at a level such that upon the body and cover portion being shaped together, any attempt to open the seal will cause the locking means mounted in the body portion to cam against the cover portion. The locking means are thus preferably at a level substantially the same as the level as sidewalls of the body means.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa blank used for making the seal element;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an opened seal;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate opened seal embodying this invention;

FIG. 7 is a section'taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a closed seal.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5, the seal includes a cover portion 10 and a body portion 12 integrally connected together by a hinge generally designated by reference numeral 14. The seal is thus of a one-piece construction, preferably made of tin plate or prepainted metal.

The cover portion 10, according to the embodiment shown, includes a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 16 extending substantially at right angles from a top panel 18 and running substantially the length of the cover portion. The sidewalls l6 taper inwardly towards the top panel 18 at the point where the hinge portion 14 occurs.

An end wall 20 also extends substantially at right angles to the top panel 18, with the side and end walls 16 and 20 being of substantially uniform height.

The cover portion includes a pair of inwardly and upwardly extending lug members 22, as shown in greater detail in FIG.

These lug members 22 are located substantially at the front portion of the sidewalls 16 adjacent the end wall 20. The lugs 22 are bent upwardly to an extent approximately one-fifth the depth of the sidewalls 16 according to a preferred embodiment.

The body portion 12 includes a bottom panel 24, a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 26, and an end wall 28. The sidewalls 26 and end wall 28 are preferably ofa unitary construction, as shown in the drawings. As with the sidewall 16, sidewalls 26 preferably taper inwardly towards the bottom panel 24 adjacent the hinge area 14; and the sidewalls 26 and end wall 28 are preferably of a uniform height, which according to a preferred embodiment, is substantially the same height as the walls 16 and 20 of the cover portion.

The cooperating lock means of the body portion, according to the preferred embodiment shown, comprises a first downwardly extending member 30 emanating from the top edge 28 of the end wall 28 and slightly shorter in length than the wall 28. Connected to intermediate wall 30 is a further panel member 32 having a width narrower than the width of the spaced-apart walls 26, and extending a length approximately one-half the length of the bottom panel 24 and in jux taposition therewith. Panel 32 includes a pair of upwardly extending members 34 integrally connected thereto, each carrying a lug 36 which outwardly and downwardly extends towards the sidewalls 26. The arms 34 extend a height according to a preferred embodiment substantially equal to the height of the walls 26. The lugs 36 are formed such that the lugs 22 can cooperatively engage the lugs 36 upon the folding of the cover portion 10 into the body portion 12 of the seal. Thus, the lugs 36 will be spaced apart a distance slightly less than the lugs 22 whereby the lugs 22 can snap by means of a camming action into locking position with the lugs 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lugs 36 will preferably have a length in the axial direction of the seal, greater than the length of the lugs 22 in the same direction. This not only permits a tolerance in manufacturing conditions which is desirable, but will also provide positive locking of the lugs 22 and 36 when the seal is closed.

By constructing a seal in the above manner, it will be noted that when the seal is closed, sidewalls l6 and end wall 20 and the cover portion will be enclosed within the body portion defined by the sidewalls 26 and end wall 28. It will further be noted that when the lugs 22 engage the lugs 36, it will be impossible to raise the cover portion without completely destroying the seal since the lugs 36 will abut the top panel 18 of the cover portion upon any attempt to raise the cover portion.

If desired, a weakened line 38 may be provided in the hinge area, facilitating bending of the cover and body portions. Also, in some cases, the weakened line will provide indication of tampering with a seal in that the seal is likely to break apart at this point.

The blank from which the seal of FIGS. 2 to is made, is illustrated in FIG. 1. This is a one-piece sheet of material preferably made of. tin plate or other suitable material. The cover portion of the blank is indicated by reference numeral 10, the body portion by reference numeral 12 as in the preceding FIGS. The cover portion includes a pair of laterally extending projections 40 which will form the lugs 22 of the cover portion. The portion of the blank forming the sidewalls I6 and end wall 20 is designated by the same reference numerals and shown in dotted lines.

Similarly, the portions of the blank forming the bottom 24, and the sidewalls 26 are indicated in dotted lines.

The locking means of the body portion 12 comprises the lower portion of the blank shown in FIG. I. The area of the blank forming the intermediate wall lying in juxtaposition with the end wall 28 is indicated by reference numeral 30 and shown in dotted lines; similarly, the area forming the upwardly extending arms 34 and lugs 36 likewise being shown in dotted lines.

All of the seal components per se of FIGS. 6 to are identical to those of FIGS. 1 to 5 and accordingly, similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts. Thus, the cover portion is designated by reference numeral 18 which is provided with a front lip and cooperating lugs 22, downwardly extending from sides 16. The bottom portion includes a bottom panel 24, end wall 28 and sidewalls 26, with second cooperating locking means indicated by reference numerals 34 and 36 designating the components of the lugs. The

second cooperating locking means extends upwardly from the member 32 connected to the end wall 28 by means of panel 10.

According to the further modification of this invention, the bottom portion having bottom panel 24 is provided with rounded shoulders 50 on either side thereof adjacent the front wall 28, which rounded shoulders extend approximately onequarter one-fourth the length of the sidewalls 26, as is best illustrated in FIG. 10. Still further, according to an optional feature, the panel 32 mounting the second cooperating locking means is provided with a ridge 52, for the purposes of strengthening the second cooperating locking means. In a similar fashion, the top panel 18 of the cover portion is provided with a ridge 54 which increases the rigidity and strength characteristics of the first cooperating locking means connected to the sidewalls 16 of the cover portion.

The provision of the ridges 52 and 54 in the seal is not necessary, but may be desirable when certain types of material are used for this seal. In the case of very thin or soft metal, ridges 52 and 54 are provided to compensate for variations in the temper of the material. These ridges may be provided by stamping procedures during the manufacture of the blank illustrated in FIG. 1.

The provision of rounded shoulder portions 50 between the bottom panel 24 and the sides 26 serves several purposes. Thus, when the mating covers at the bottom portions are folded together, normally the first cooperating locking means of the cover portion will deflect slightly over the second cooperating locking means. In some cases, it is desirable to bring the resulting deflected locking means back into true alignment with the cooperating locking means and this is accomplished according to this further embodiment by providing rounded shoulders 50, whereby the first locking means will strike the rounded shoulders causing them to be brought back into alignment, after insertion past the cooperating locking means.

In addition to the metal materials specifically mentioned above, the seal may be made of any suitable plastic material including for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Plastic seals find application in various instances, where metals cannot be used for one reason or another.

If desired, various expedients known in the prior art for the purpose of facilitating bending of the cover portion onto the body portion, can be included in the product of the present invention. Thus, there may be provided a weakened line between the cover portion I8 and the body portion 24. In a similar manner, a weakened line may be provided between the intermediate wall 30 and the panel member 32 (as shown in FIG. I) for facilitating the camming action between the first and second connecting means when the seal is closed.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the seal of this invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

We claim:

I. A tamperproof, one-piece seal comprising a cover portion and a body portion, a hinge integrally interconnecting said portions, said portions each having a main panel with opposed sidewalls projecting therefrom, a front wall projecting from said body portion, locking means extending inward from said opposed sidewalls of said cover portion, an intermediate wall and a member, said intermediate wall connecting said member with a free edge of said front wall of said body portion, said member being positioned within said body portion in substantially face-to-face relationship with said main panel of said body portion, said member having a width less than the width between said opposed sidewalls of said body portion and catch means extending upwardly from said member adjacent said sidewalls of said body portion, said catch means extending from said member a distance sufficient to engage said locking means on said cover portion, said catch means extending towards said hinge a distance whereby when said locking means and said catch means are interengaged, said catch means will cam against said main panel of said cover portion and increase the locking effect if said seal is tampered with.

2. A seal as defined in claim 1, wherein said catch means on said body portion projects outwardly toward the sidewalls of said body portion and wherein said sidewalls of said top portion are received within said sidewalls of said body portion, said locking means and .said catch means extending from adjacent said front wall toward said hinge.

3. A seal as defined in claim 2, wherein said catch means is longer than said locking means in the direction between said front wall and said hinge.

4. A seal as defined in claim 3, wherein said intermediate wall is in face-to-face relationship with said front wall. 

